Gulf Coast Records artist: Popa Chubby - Live at G. Bluey's Juke Joint NYC - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Live at G. Bluey's Juke Joint NYC, from Popa Chubby and it's a strong blues rocker. Opening with Neil Young's driving Motorcycle Mama, Chubby on lead vocal and guitar lays down a real cool rhythm reinforced by Michael Merritt on bass, Mike Dimeo on keys and Stefano Giudici on drums. With it's rock N' roll feel and rhythmatic approach on lead. this is a solid opener. On Hey Joe (you all know the track), PC keeps the original arrangement but of course puts his own signature on the guitar work. Using Hendrix like phrase reinforcement and with a tight rhythm by Giudici on drums, this is a strong concert track. After building to a frenzy, the track quiets under the improvised melody by Dimeo on keys, and closing under the firepower of PC. With a Latin feel and surf phrasing, 69 Dollars this track really got the  crowd moving. Another original, Grown Man Crying Blues is a lumbering track with a drone bass line and plenty of space. Dimeo and PC both get a sloid spot in the center front and both do really nice jobs making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. On Texas style, I Don't Want Nobody, PC really gets a nice lope going with just a little more tempo and great vocals. Dimoe gives up an aggressive organ solo followed by PC who doesn't moss a lick. Steel Horse Serenade is a charging instrumental with long, melodic, guitar and organ phrasing with traces of prog music. Very cool. Ballady take on on Jimmy Cox's Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out, gives Dimeo lost of space to stretch on organ and PC follows with a meaty guitar solo of his own, showing straight up blues riffs and metal plucking for a dynamic ending. Wrapping the release is a rocking cover of the Stones', Sympathy For The Devil. This is a great set that PC put together and really jamming on the closing track. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Blue Heart Records artist: Dave Keyes - Rhythm Blues & Boogie - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rhythm Blues & Boogie by Dave Keyes and it's name says it all. Opening with Memphis flavored R&B on Shake Shake Shake on piano and lead vocal backed by Bernard Purdie on drums, Jeff Anderson on bass, and the power of Chris Eminizer on sax and Tim Quimette on trumpet. Solid opener. Another big swinger, Blues and Boogie has a little New Orleans spice and Keyes piano work shines again with power horns by Eminizer and Quimette and a real nice guitar solo by Early Times. Takin it to the street New Orleans style, Ain't Doing That No More has a great drum beat by Purdie and Eminizer and Quimette punch up the back. John Putnam on slide guitar really nails it and of course Keyes vocal and piano lead is terrific. Not Fighting Anymore is spiced up even more with a Latin beat by Pagano on drums and percussion adds backing vocals, with firm horn backing by Quimette and Eminizer and strong lead vocal by Keyes. David J Keyes has bass on this number and Popa Chubby guests on guitar. Doug MacLeod adds spoken word and lays in a cool acoustic guitar solo on Invisible Man and Keyes on vocal and straight up boogie piano sets the tempo for this one. Wrapping the release is 7 O'clock Somewhere, a rockin boogie with a cool piano lead and Wurlitzer by Keyes, Putnam ripping on guitar and Pagano on drums. This is a strong closer for a very enjoyable release. 

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Dixiefrog Records artist: Popa Chubby - Emotional Gangster - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Emotional Gangster, from Popa Chubby and it's a cool, aggressive blues rocker. Opening with driving, Tonight I'm Gonna Be The Man, Popa Chubby rips on slide over a rumbling beat. With tandem vocals he sets the pace and charging drums keep the tension. A cool, bluesy melody and blues rooted slide riffs saturate the track. Solid opener.  On Morganfield's Hoochie Coochie Man, Chubby gives the blues classic his own twist, retaining the bluesy roots but interjecting just a taste or rock. With a droning bass line he never gets to fast but he does take the time to show his chops on Water's original phrasing. Very nice. Harmonica wizard Jason Ricci sits in on Save The Best For Last, a low slung shuffle with a Jimmy Reed feel. Chubby really lays on the beat giving it a pronounced lope and his vocals are prime. Ricci and Chubby trade phrases making this one of my favorites on the release. Elmore James' Dust My Broom fits into this set nicely with all of the slide and Chubby does his riffs with gusto. With that perfect tempo that makes you stomp your heel, Chubby locks, loads and fires... very cool. My choice for the radio track on the release is I'm The Dog with it's pounding boogie rhythm and great hook (I'm The Dog). Break out guitar work really kicks this one through the uprights. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Master IP (a CD only bonus track), a 6 plus minute blues jam that really seems to float. laying out some real nice riffs and soaring lead, a strong closer for a strong release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Early Times & the High Rollers - The Corner - New Release Review

 I just has the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Corner, from Early Times & the High Rollers and it's a cool rocker. Opening with easy shuffle, Come On, Let's Ride, Early Times on vocal and guitar is upfront with Joshua Keith on drums, Dan Schnapp on keys and Hardan Long on bass. On The Corner maintains a lighter radio feel but with bluesy guitar riffs by Times and a solid drum bottom by Keith. Sixties style rocker, Do What She Do keeps it simple with a solid melody and simple beat. A strong radio track and a cool track. Bluesy, She's About To Lose Her Mind, grinds into a lumbering groove with nice piano and organ work by Schnapp under some of Times' best vocal work and some real tasty guitar riffs by Popa Chubby making this one of my favorites on the release. Instrumental, Rosie's Herbs 'n Ting is a light, jazzy rocker with a hint of Latin spice giving Times a nice chance to step out on guitar over the tight percussive rhythms of Jay Messina. Very nice. Acoustic ballad, Someone Help Mary is a nicely crafted track with solid vocals and minimal instrumental as needed along the lines of Neil Diamond. Wrapping the release is high energy rocker, Return of the Queen, with driving guitar and relentless drumming. It is actually a real cool track with vocal phrasing like Dylan and a blazing guitar solo by Times. Solid closer for a cool release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Cleopatra Blues: Junior Wells - Blues Brothers - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Brothers by Junior Wells and featuring many contemporary blues players. Opening with low slung, Blues Hit Big Town, Colin James weighs in on lead guitar with Wells on Harp. Good Morning Little School Girl lines up Pat Travers on guitar and James Montgomery on harp. I really like Montgomery's work and his interweaving with Travers on this track is tight. One of Well's most loved classics, Messin' With the Kid gets a rework with Tyler Bryant on guitar and his open tone with just the right amount of reverb works really nicely. Baby, Scratch My Back features Albert Castiglia and I always like his style. He doesn't overplay but his notes all count. Very nice. Eric Gales is featured on Lovey Dovey, Lovey One and his confident attack on this shuffle really works nicely. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Snatch It Back And Hold It, featuring Joe Louis Walker. His guitar work is fluid and fleet with just the right bend. Wrapping the release is Hoodoo Man Blues again with Walker on guitar. Walker really is a great fit for this track with his soulful trem bends and tasty fills. This is a strong closer for a very cool release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Popa Chubby - It's A Mighty Hard Road - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, It's A Mighty Hard Road, from Popa Chubby and I hear a real maturing off styles with Chubby that I haven't heard before. Opening with, The Flavor Is In The Fat, a meaty shuffle with certain radio and crowd appeal. Backed by Dave Keyes on piano and organ, Steve Holley on drums, Brett Bass on bass and with a memorable melody and a singable chorus, Chubby is off to a great start. Two stepper title track, It's a Mighty Hard Road, is a blend of rock and blues and could also be a strong radio track. With it's simple melodic format and solid melody and a gritty guitar solo, this song hits home. R&B track, The Best Is Yet To Come is one of my favorites on the release with warm vocals and harmonies. Reinforcing the melody with a clean guitar solo gives this track even more radio traction. I'm The Beast From The East is a great blues rocker with plenty of swagger and featuring Don Castagno on drums. Anther of my favorites on the release is Gordito with it's light Latin flavored instrumental melody, carried by as delicate a solo guitar hand as you've heard from Chubby. Very nice. Straight up rocker, More Time Making Love, again has the radio formula. A solid melody, firm vocals and a great beat make this a certain crowd pleaser. Boogie rocker, Why You Wanna Bite My Bones has a strong walking bass line and Chubby leads the way on vocals, echoed by stiff guitar lead. On Leon Russell's I'd Rather Be Blind Chubby winds the band up, Leon style, and gets the lays down a solid rocker with a blues overtone. I really like Chubby's vocal work on this track where he just lets it all hang out. Very cool. Wrapping the release is a slightly grittier take on Prince's Kiss. The basic arrangement is true to the original but with a funky bass line, a straight up harmonica line, no falsetto vocals and less twitchiness, the track is a solid rocker to close a solid release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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E-M Records artist: Eliza Neals - Sweet or Mean - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sweet or Mean, from Eliza Neals and joined by guitar player/band leader Popa Chubby, it's a screamer. Opening with Pawn Shop Blues, a solid shuffle Neals picks up where she left off with her gritty vocals and Chubby with romping slide guitar, backed by Dave Keys on keys, Chris Gambari-Vega on bass, John Medeiros Jr. on drums and including Ian Hendrickson on sax and Michael Leonhart on trumpet. Rocker, Bitten By The Blues has solid radio feel with it's lightly Latin flavored rhythm and smooth melody with Chubby playing a rocking, Santana influenced guitar lead style. Livin With Yo Mama is a cool, slinky, boogie track with sassy vocals and some of my favorite guitar riffs on the release. Knock Knock Knockin is a pared down blues rocker with Chubby on acoustic guitar bringing Neals' farther forward in the mix vocally. Very nice. Wrapping the release is a slightly different mix on Pawn Shop Blues, a sweet closer for a solid blues rocker. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Popa Chubby Productions artist: Popa Chubby - Prime Cuts: The Very Best of the Beast From The East - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Prime Cuts: The Very Best of the Beast From The East, by Popa Chubby and it's a broad representation of Chuby's work. Opening with Life Is A Beatdown, a contemporary hip hop style track from from Peace, Love & Respect, seemingly directed at airplay featuring solid guitar work and backed by Steve Holley on drums and Nicholas Damato on bass. Jimi's Hey Joe, Flashed Back, is always a great track and Chubby is all over the guitar with fiery riffs backed by Larry Crockett on super drums and Kris Jefferson on bass. Very cool.  Hi stepping, Stoop Down Baby from It's Chubby Time, has a great funky beat by Don Castagno and Seth Farber on Hammond. One of my favorites on the release is instrumental track, San Catri, from the Gas Money release. Chubby's melody is solid and his solo melody lines are smooth and moving. Jazz based Caffeine and Nicotine, from Hit The High Hard One, is another of my favorites with a great walking bass line by Dean Zucchero and flashy, country jazz fused guitar riffs. Excellent! Contemporary slow blues number, Grown Man Crying Blues from Deliveries After Dark is another top track with some of Chubby's best vocals and extra bluesy riffs giving you plenty to chew on for over 8 minutes. Nice. Country based ballad, I Can't See The Light of Day from the Good, The Bad and the Chubby shows yet another side of Chubby with a with a R&B flavor stirred in and featuring Holley and Jefferson as well as Mike Latrell on keys. Very cool. With a release during the season, the release is wrapped with There On Christmas, an unreleased track with definite Phil Spector influences. This release has 15 tracks, a few unreleased and unleashed. Enjoy!

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Popa Chubby - Two Dogs - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Two Dogs, from Popa Chubby and it's a straight up rocker. Opening with arena style track, It's Alright, Chubby shows powerful vocals backed by Sam "Freightrain" Bryant on drums, Andy Paladino on bass, and Dave Keyes on keys. With a taste of funk and a rocking backbeat, Tipitina Horowitz on trumpet and Andrew Garrison on tenor sax, punch up the track with Chubby hitting a real nice groove on vocals hot solo guitar riffs. Title track, Two Dogs, has a real cool feel with a slinky dance rhythm and screaming guitar lead under the melody. Very cool. Shakedown is a strong rocker built over a base riff like Heartbreaker/Livin' Lovin' Maid by Led Zep. This is a strong rocker with hot riffs. Latin flavored instrumental, Cayophus Dupree is my absolute favorite track on the release with solid guitar lead throughout over warm organ by Keyes. Excellent! Me Won't Back Down has a jazzy but voodoo sound like a mixture of Dr John and War. I really like this track and it's percussion laden feel and crisp guitar work. Boogie track, Chubby's Boogie has great fluidity with twin guitar leads. Keyes has a nice piano solo to balance out the track and Andy Paladino does a super job on bass giving this track a solid bottom. Very cool. The Stone's, Sympathy For The Devil wraps the release with great tempo, tight piano runs, a solid bass line by Francesco Beccaro, snappy drum work by Andrea Beccaro and a lot of vocal and guitar energy by Chubby. Super closer for a solid release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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HERE

Keyesland Music artist: Dave Keyes - The Healing - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Healing, from Dave Keyes, and its a breath of fresh air. Opening with boogie shuffle, Change, David J. Keyes on bass lays down a nice groove, with Dave Keyes on lead vocal and piano, Stephen Rushton on drums and Rob Paparozzi on harp backed by Alexis P. Suter, Vicki Bell and Ray Grappone on vocals. Very cool opener. On Bo Diddley flavored, Not So Nice Anymore has a great tom tom beat and nice piano work by Keyes, topped by fiery slide work by Popa Chubby. R&B track, Ain't Looking For Love has a real nice feel with warm vocals by Keyes and a nice duet with Vanese Thomas. I particularly like Paparozzi's harp work on this track. Very nice. Robert Johnsons's Traveling Riverside Blues is one of my favorites on the release with Chubby smoking the strings and Keyes digging in deep on vocals, laying down some real nice piano riffs and with Frank Pagano on drums. Keyes solos out on Boogie for Stefan, an excellent piano boogie. Boogie/gospel...yup! Strange Things Happening is a lively, gospel style number with boogie piano. Keyes shines on piano (of course) and his own vocals, teamed with The Ministers of Sound is really sweet. This is a really cool track and other of my favorites on the release. Faith Grace Love and Forgiveness is a particularly potent track with a John Hiatt feel and definite gospel overtones with 30 piece, The Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir blending beautifully on queue and a soulful guitar solo by Arthur Neilson . Excellent! This release just keeps building steam with ballad, Take You Back, backed by The Ministers of Sound and Neilson again adding tasty riffs. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Box of Blues, an easy flowing, New Orleans flavored track with Paparozzi on harp, a duet with Diane Cricchio, and full horn support from Chris Eminizer on bari and tenor sax and Tim Ouimette on trumpet. Solid closer.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Blues Legend Popa Chubby Releases New Album “The Catfish”

Blues Legend Popa Chubby Releases New Album “The Catfish”

Popa Chubby Is The Catfish. Popa Chubby sits alone at the river's edge, guitar in hand he serenades the waters knowing if the song is sweet and the wind is right The Catfish will bite. Music is the bait, music is the water of life and Popa Chubby swims deeply in the swelling tides. Popa Chubby Is The Catfish.

But Who Is The Catfish? The road is long and goes on forever, the minnows and guppies must bow to the big fish. His guitar strings are the line that reaches to the deepest part of the soul. Many rivers to cross, the Catfish knows he is the boss. The king! Le Roi! The Mac Daddy! Fat, elusive, badass, too smart for the nets of those who would try to label him. The songs, stronger then ever, paint pictures , tell stories, of love, of life, of women and of the world. The music soaring to new heights. Fearless, brave, loud. 

Says Popa Chubby, “This recording is dedicated to you. You inspire me every day. You make me want to play better, write better, sing better. I love you all, you are all diverse and beautiful and you lead my back to who I truly am. Listen loud, long and often. I remain your humble servant hopefully older, wiser, louder, stronger. I thank the almighty force of creativity, light and love in the universe. Jah Jah vibration always. Stay true, stay strong, stay resolute.”

“On his newest release The Catfish, Popa Chubby offers up 12 tunes that embody the badass attitude that defines the self-proclaimed 'King Of The New York City Blues'. The Catfish is aptly titled as it delivers punch after punch of musical inspiration drawing on 25 plus years of street smarts and road worthy musicianship. The Catfish embodies the concepts that make Popa Chubby who he is. Regal and Delicious, the recording shines with multiple flavor and worldliness.” -  Blues Magazine NL

Tracks

1. Going Downtown See My Old Gal Sue (T.Horowitz) 5:42

2. Good Thing (T. Horowitz) 3:20

3. Bye Bye Love (Felice & Bodleaux Bryant, Arrangement T. Horowitz) 3:32

4. Cry Till It's A Dull Ache (T. Horowitz) 5:10

5. Wes Is More (T. Horowitz) 7:04

6. Motörhead Saved My Life (T. Horowitz) 2:41

7. Blues For Charlie (T. Horowitz) 5:58

8. Dirty Diesel (T. Horowitz) 3 :42

9. Slow Down Sugar (T. Horowitz)  6 :34

10. Put a Grown Man to Shame (T. Horowitz) 5:16

11. The Catfish (T. Horowitz) 4:01

12. C'mon In My Kitchen (Robert Johnson) 4:04

Produced by Ted Horowitz at Chubbyland Studio, Hudson Valley, New York

Mastered by Alan Douches at Westside Sound

Featuring:

Popa Chubby: Guitars and vocals all tracks; Drums and bass on 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11; Percussion on all tracks; Keyboards on 9

Dave Keyes: Piano and Organ on all tracks; Vocals on track 12

Dave Moore: Drums on tracks 2, 5, 7, 8,10

Matt Lapham: Bass on tracks 4, 7, 8, 10

Tipitina Horowitz: Trumpet on tracks 3, 9

Rich Monica: Drums on track 1

To purchase Popa Chubby's “The Catfish”: https://www.amazon.com/Catfish-Popa-Chubby/dp/B01KPDLDDE/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1481570065&sr=1-1&keywords=popa+chubby+the+catfish

Popa Chubby upcoming 2017 US tour dates:

January

6 - Washington, DC - The Hamilton

7 - Richmond, VA - Capital Ale House

12 - Teaneck, NJ - Mexicali Blues

13-14 - Auburn Hills, MI - Callahan’s

February

17 - Schenectady, NY - Van Dyke

18 - Fairfield, CT - Stage One

19 - Northampton, MA - Iron Horse Music Hall

24 - Mifflinburg, PA - Rusty Rail Live

25 - Jim Thorpe, PA - Mauch Chunk Opera House

26 - Lancaster, PA - Lancaster Roots & Blues

Popa Chubby Endorses Stetson Hats exclusively! 

Popa Chubby plays Fender Guitars through Fender Amplifiers.

The Catfish - Popa Chubby - New Release review - by Stilladog: Guest Writer

Talk about keepin’ it fresh?  Oh yeah. This album does it.  Popa Chubby (Theodore Horowitz) is a bad man with an axe in his hand! I’ve met the man and I believe this is the album he was always meant to do.

At first you will be impressed with solid blues and blues rock songs with a touch of nasty funk.  Tracks 1 & 2, Goin’ Downtown and Good Thing fall into this category.  Next comes an instrumental version of the Buddy Holly classic Bye Bye Love, the first of many tracks where Chubby pays homage to his influential heroes.

There are rockers Dirty Diesel (a touch of Stevie Ray?) and Motorhead Saved My Life and the slow gut-bucket Blues For Charlie . Then there’s Slow Down Sugar which throughout includes a muted trumpet paying homage to Miles Davis. Later this track breaks into a primitive rap reminiscent of Miles’ Doo-Bop album that received terrible reviews but which fused jazz and hiphop perfectly way back in the early 90s.  

A couple top notch originals, The Catfish and Put a Grown Man To Shame are not to be missed and the album concludes with the Robert Johnson cover Come On In My Kitchen which is terrific!

But the crowning jewel in this excellent album is track 5, Wes Is More, where Chubby channels Wes Montgomery!  It’s basically a jazz shuffle in which Popa Chubby displays more depth and diversity than anyone could imagine. Just wonderful!  

This is a GREAT album and has a little for everyone whether your tastes run to rock, blues/rock, funk, hip-hop, or straight jazz. The Chubby man offers it all up on this recording.  This album is EXTREMELY recommended by Stilladog. The more diverse your taste in music is the more you will like this album. 

     

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Cleopatra Records artist: Popa Chubby - Big, Bad and Beautiful - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Big, Bad and Beautiful from Popa Chubby and it's a great blues rocker. This double live CD is packed with power, opening with Working Class Blues and a genuine Detroit style rocker. With Chubby on guitar and vocals, the band, featuring Dave Keyes on keys, Francesco Beccaro on bass and Andrea Beccaro on drums sets a nice pace. Throwing the funk down on Stoop Down Baby, Beccaro lays down a super bass groove and Chubby's rhythm is tight. Keys and Chubby both stretch it out on this track giving it real body. Very nice! On boogie track, One Leg At A Time, it's hard to sit still as the guys really crank it up. Keyes really rolls his solo on this track winding it up for Chubby who hits it solid down the middle himself with fluid jazzy blues riffs. Excellent! 69 Dollars has a Spanish rhythm with strong foundation by Francesco and Andrea. A smooth, adventurous organ solo by Keyes really hits the spot and Chubby flexes his muscle showing his versatility with stylized Spanbluesrock solos of his own. Very nice! On blues ballad, Same Old Blues, Chubby tells it melodically with fluid blues guitar riffs. Keyes takes a real nice organ solo and Chubby is back with sting. This is bound to be a big crowd favorite! Driving boogie, I Don't Want Nobody is excellent with Keyes on the backbeat and Chubby riffing away. Keyes and Chubby exchange the spotlight making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Sweat has a slinky 40's sound with Andrea dancing on the cymbals. Francesco plays a seductive bass line as Chubby tells the whole story. Keys and Chubby plays some real nice solo's on this track giving it just the right texture. Cool! Signed With Heartache is a bluesy track with thick slide work served up hot and heavy. Excellent! With bass a blazing, Rock Me Baby gets a Jimi style workout for a super twist. Wrapping disc one is Chubbfatha Medley, a cool surf like twist's on a few familiar themes. I like any excuse to surf out a track so I think it's a blast!

Disc 2 opens with a 10 minute plus Rock On Bluesman, a super rock anthem with plenty of guts. Rock n roller, Take Me Back To Amsterdam stirs the crowd with Elmore James style riffs and pure rocking energy. I Was Lookin' Back has a super New Orleans funk. With driving guitar riffs and super keys, the Beccaro's keep this track tight. Very nice! Robert Johnson's Love In Vain played with a nod to the Stones is really slick with a tight blues feel and screaming slide work. Excellent! This leads into a Rolling Stones pair... Brown Sugar and Wild Horses. The band is tight and solid. Caffeine and Nicotine is hot as a fire cracker with rockabilly flair. Keyes gets the piano rolling hard and Chubby is relentless wit Gatemouth and Dale like feel. Excellent! The Finger Bangin' Boogie has great style and a solid bass line. Chubby is poppin the slide again on this one and with his relentless vocals makes this one of my favorites on the release. Peoples Blues is very strong. Chubby just lays it out on this one over a nice slow walk on bass by Francesco. Clocking in at over 9 minutes it still seems over to quick. Excellent! Another chance for Chubby to slide fat and free is Noise Making Love Machine. With a hard driving rock beat by Francesco and Andrea, this track rocks! Wrapping the release is a remake of the classic Over The Rainbow. Chubby does a little Beethoven on volume swells as an intro to the now prolific track. He takes a different route to the end rather than mimicking Mr Jeff Beck, gives it a 50's rock sway but throws plenty of guitar pyrotechnics at the track giving it a genuine new life and along with Keyes' Rhodes work, making it a perfect conclusion for a super live recording.




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Blues Giant Popa Chubby Releases A Bold Double Live Album & Hits The Road For A New World Tour!

Blues Giant Popa Chubby Releases A Bold Double Live Album & Hits The Road For A New World Tour!

Los Angeles, CA - 2015 was one of the busiest years for modern blues ace Popa Chubby. After the release of a stellar studio album in late 2014 I’m Feelin’ Lucky, The Chubbfatha hit the road for a relentless run of shows across both the US and all over Europe. Audiences expecting a subdued, restrained performance from this veteran star of the stage were surely disappointed as Popa came out swinging, with all guns a-blazing, firing off multiple highlights from his 26+ year career including “Sweat,” the hit single from his blockbuster major label debut Booty & The Beast, as well as fan favorites “69 Dollars,” “Life Is A Beatdown” and more! The tour was immensely successful, the energy beyond palapable, and the vibe so undeniable that it quickly became apparent these blistering performances needed to be recorded for posterity. And that’s exactly what happened at 3 venues in France. The result is this stellar double live album Big, Bad and Beautiful, which will be released January 22 on the newly christened Cleopatra Blues imprint, a subsidiary of Cleopatra Records, Inc. Chubby’s live album have always been extremely well received by fans and critics alike since anyone familiar with him knows without a doubt that the stage is where his immensely talented guitar playing skills really come alive! So don’t miss out on what is sure to be one of the most talked about blues releases of the year and catch Popa Chubby on the road with his Big, Bad & Beautiful World Tour kicking off in January!

Track List:

DISC 1

1. Working Class Blues

2. Stoop Down Baby

3. One Leg At A Time

4. 69 Dollars

5. Same Old Blues

6. Angel On My Shoulder

7. I Don't Want Nobody

8. Life Is A Beatdown

9. Palace Of The King

10. Sweat

11. Signed With Heartache

12. Rock Me Baby

13. Blues Bearin' Down

14. Chubbfatha Medley

DISC 2

1. Rock On Bluesman

2. Take Me Back To Amsterdam

3. I Was Lookin' Back

4. Love In Vain

5. Brown Sugar

6. Wild Horses

7. Another Ten Years Gone

8. Caffeine And Nicotine

9. Daddy Played The Guitar

10. Finger Bangin' Boogie

11. The People's Blues

12. Noise Making Love Machine

13. Over The Rainbow

THE BIG, BAD & BEAUTIFUL WORLD TOUR

Jan 9 - Tuckerton, NJ - Lizzie Rose Music Room

Jan 15 - Washington, DC - The Hamilton

Jan 16 - Islip, NJ - Treme Blues & Jazz

Jan 22 - Weert, NL - De Bosul

Jan 23 - Magny le Hongre, FR - File 7

Jan 24 - Pont l’ Abbe’, FR - Le Triskell

Jan 25 - La Couarde sur Mer, FR - La Maline

Jan 26 - Argeteuil, FR - Cave d’imieres

Jan 27 - Strasbourg, FR - La Laiterie

Jan 28 - Massy, FR - Paul B’s

Jan 29 - Vernouillet, FR - La Scene

Jan 30 - Queven, FR - Les Arcs

Feb 13 - Woonsocket, RI - Chan’s

Feb 19 - Mildale, CT - Tipping Chair Tavern

Feb 20 - Jim Thorpe, PA - Mauch Chunk Opera House

Feb 26 - Fairfield, CT - The Warehouse

Feb 27 - Beacon, NY - Towne Crier

March 2 - New York, NY - Iridium

March 3 - New York, NY - Iridium

Buy the CD: http://flyt.it/PopaChubbyLiveCD

Download on iTunes: http://flyt.it/PopaChubbyLiveDig

VizzTone Label Group artist: Mitch Woods - Jammin' On The High C's - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Jammin' On The High C's from Mitch Woods' Club 88 recorded live on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise and the talent was really flowing. Opening with Big Mamou, Woods, along with members of Roomful of Blues lays down a full tilt boogie. An excellent trumpet, sax and piano solos on this track make it an excellent opener. Next up is Tain't Nobody's Bizness with a stripped down swing. Victor Wainwright and Julia Magness join in giving a different feel vocally... and great piano work contribute to an excellent track. Classic rocker, Rip It Up features Tommy Castro and he really adds some great rockin' guitar riffs to Woods' piano and vocal talents. Backed by the Roomful of Blues horns this track rocks. Lucky Peterson is featured on vocals on Bright Lights Big City, maintaining much of Jimmy Reeds original feel. Breakin down with a little Zydeco, Dwayne Dopsie brings Jambalaya on accordion and vocal. Woods tickles the ivories adding a real nice touch. Billy Branch brings it on Eyesight To The Blind. A lot of real Chicago feel and great harp work are the key to this track. Nicely executed guitar additions and Woods on piano add to the overall blue feel. Boogie track, I Want You To Be My Baby features Popa Chubby on vocal. Woods does an excellent job of driving the boogie and soloing. Popa throws down some wicked rockabilly riffs on guitar making this track shine bright. Coco Montoya takes the lead on Rock Me Baby which has a bit more of a rock swing/boogie feel. He soloing is intermixed with Woods piano work and crisp. Victor Wainwright is back for a real doozie of a boogie, Wine Spo Dee O Dee. This is easily the shining piano track on the release. Woods holds tight on Broke as he sings the story and pushes the rhythm on piano. With audience participation, this track is a lot of fun. Branch and Montoya are back on Boom Boom. A more laid back swing than the Hook wrote it, Woods keeps the rhythm as Branch and Montoya solo. Popa Chubby is back on Wee Wee Hours and a nice easy boogie. Woods takes a particularly nice piano solo on this track giving way to Popa for a plucky guitar solo of his own. Wrapping the release is a hot, fast paced boogie, Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On featuring Dwayne Dopsie. Cool closer for a fun party release.

   

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 Not from this release:

Stony Plain Records artist: Eric Bibb - Blues People - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Blues People, from Eric Bibb and I think it's his best in quite some time! Opening with Silver Spoon, a primarily acoustic track rooted deeply in the delta but with hot contrasting electric blues riffs from Popa Chubby in the distance and bass and drums by Glen Scott. Excellent! Driftin' Door To Door has a bit more of the walking blues sound with nice picked and slide work from Bibb and Michael Jerome Browne. Very nice. God's Mojo is a quiet jazz framed blues track with nicely figured key work and light drums by Glen Scott. Bibbs vocals are particularly focused on this track. Turner Station has a more modern acoustic blues sound with Bibb and Browne on guitar. As the track builds more fullness appears with Scott on Hammond, backing vocals and electric keys as well as Neville Malcolm on bass. On Pink Dream Cadillac, Bibb paints a vivid story as Staffan Astner adds some tasty slide work. Guy Davis' Chocolate Man features Davis and and Bibb trading lead vocals and guitar with Scott on bass, piano and drums. Rosewood is a somber ballad with light electronic keyboards backing Bibbs articulate acoustic guitar and vocal. Rev. Gard Davis' I Heard The Angels Singin' has an almost Richie Havens feel with Browne on 12 string, Scott on bass and drums and featuring J.J. Milteau on harp and The Blind Boys of Alabama on backing vocals. Dream Catchers has an interesting reggae feel with Ruthie Foster at her grittiest and Harrison Kennedy singing lead and Sara Bergkvist-Scott on backing vocals. Very nice! Chain Reaction features Glen Scott on lead vocal with Bibb for some really nice soul style harmonizing. Paris Renita adds some really nice backing on this track giving it a real soul feeling. Taj Mahal is on lead vocal and banjo on this shot but critical, Needed Time intro. A more flowing and refined expanded track follows with Foster, Bibb and the Blind Boys Of Alabama sharing vocal duties with Scott on piano, Browne on electric slide, Paul Robinson on drums Neville Malcolm on upright bass. Also backing on vocal is Bob Manning, Ulrika Ponten on Big Daddy Wilson. Excellent! Out Walkin', again with a solid blues base but in a more contemporary form features Bibb on vocal joined by Browne on acoustic guitar. R&B track, Remember The Ones, features Linda Tillery trading lead vocal with Bibb. Scott adds a nice Hammond warmth as well as sampling horns from the Memphis horns. Andre De Lange shares the lead vocal with Bibb on African influenced Home. Astner joins on acoustic guitar and guitelele and Scott adds piano, bass, drums and percussion to this moving track. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Where Do We Go featuring a vocal duet with Bibb and Leyla McCalla who also adds banjo. Scott on Melodica and piano Astner on electric guitar and Malcolm on upright bass add to the quiet melody. A soft sensitive ballad, this is a nice track to conclude a very interesting release.

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